Macmillan Dictionary

Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

call

 - definition
 
 
 
Close

What are red words?

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Close

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

more
verb British English pronunciation: call /kɔːl/ 
Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theycall
he/she/itcalls
present participlecalling
past tensecalled
past participlecalled
Other entries for this word
 
  1. 1
    [transitive] to use a particular name or title for someone
    call someone something:

    Her name's Elizabeth, but we call her Liz.

    call someone by their nickname/surname/middle name:

    The teachers always called us by our surnames.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
    1. a.
      to give someone or something a name or title
      call someone/something something:

      If the baby is a boy, they'll call him William.

      Have you decided what to call the dog yet?

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
  2. 2
    [transitive] to describe or refer to someone or something in a particular way
    call someone/something something:

    The President called him 'a genuine hero'.

    I would call what's happening there a war.

    sometimes/commonly/often called:

    It is sometimes called the Garden State because there is so much green.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
    1. a.
      to criticize someone, or to say unpleasant things about them
      call someone something:

      They called me stupid and useless.

      Are you calling me a liar?

      call someone names (=unpleasant names):

      The other children teased her and called her names.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
    2. b.
      to say that something is a particular amount, although this is not the exact amount
      call something something:

      You owe me £5.30 – so let's call it £5.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
    3. c.
      to describe yourself in a particular way
      call yourself something:

      He has no right to call himself a socialist.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
  3. 3
    [intransitive/transitive] to telephone someone

    He called her from the station.

    For more information call 0800 521 382.

    call (someone) to do something:

    Let's meet next Friday – I'll call to confirm.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
    See also  collect2
  4. 4
    [intransitive/transitive] to speak loudly, or to shout to someone who is not near you

    Did you call me?

    Her father called up the stairs.

    call to someone to do something:

    He called to the driver to stop.

    call to someone for something:

    Paul called to the waiter for another drink.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
  5. 5
    [transitive] to say loudly the names or numbers on a list

    When I call your name, raise your hand.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
    1. a.
      to announce that passengers should go to their plane because it will soon be leaving

      It'll be another 45 minutes before our flight is called.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
  6. 6
    [transitive] [often passive] to ask or tell someone to come to a place, usually so that you can talk to them
    call someone across/up/over/to etc:

    She called me up to the office to explain.

    He called me over and gave me a telling-off.

    be called to a meeting/the telephone:

    He's been called to a meeting with the vice-president.

    be called before something:

    Robinson was called before the commission last week.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
    1. a.
      [transitive] to telephone a person or organization that provides a service and ask them to come

      Can you call a taxi for me?

      call the police/the fire brigade/an ambulance:

      Jack went to call an ambulance.

      Eventually the police were called.

      be called to something:

      Firefighters were called to a blaze at a school.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
    2. b.
      [transitive] to order someone to be present or give evidence in a court of law

      She was scared she would be called to give evidence.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
  7. 7
    [transitive] to announce that an event such as a meeting or election is going to happen

    Harris wants to call a meeting to discuss the new proposals.

    He should dissolve parliament and call an election.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
  8. 8
    [intransitive] if a train, bus, or ship calls somewhere, it stops there during its journey
    call at:

    This train calls at Hagley and all stations to Birmingham.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
    1. a.
      to stop at a place on your way to another place, usually so that you can do something
      call at/into:

      Can you call at the shop on your way home and get some milk?

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
    2. b.

      call

       or

      call in

       or

      call round

       to visit someone, usually for a short time

      I'll call tomorrow and we can discuss it then.

      call to do something:

      James called to see you.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
  9. 9
    [intransitive/transitive] to say what you think will happen, for example in politics or business
    hard/difficult to call:

    The situation in the East is hard to call.

    It's very difficult to call the market.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
    1. a.
      to say which side of a coin you think will be showing when it comes down after being tossed in the air
      call heads/tails:

      When Neil tossed the coin, she called heads and won.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
    See also  close2

phrases

This is the British English definition of call. View American English definition of call.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

View the pronunciation for call.

 

cyberloafing

using the Internet where you work, during working hours, for activities which are not work-related

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day

neutrino

a particle that is smaller than an atom and has no electrical charge

Open Dictionary

show a bit of ankle

… to reveal a small part of your intentions in order to attract support, without actually committing yourself to doing anything

add a word

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog